---
title: azdata sql reference
titleSuffix: SQL Server big data clusters
description: Reference article for azdata sql commands.
author: MikeRayMSFT
ms.author: mikeray
ms.reviewer: mihaelab
ms.date: 06/22/2020
ms.topic: reference
ms.prod: sql
ms.technology: big-data-cluster
---

# azdata sql

[!INCLUDE[SQL Server 2019](../../includes/applies-to-version/sqlserver2019.md)]

The following article provides reference for the `sql` commands in the `azdata` tool. For more information about other `azdata` commands, see [azdata reference](reference-azdata.md).

## Commands
| Command | Description |
| --- | --- |
[azdata sql shell](#azdata-sql-shell) | The SQL Database CLI allows the user to interact with SQL Server via T-SQL.
[azdata sql query](#azdata-sql-query) | The query command allows execution of a T-SQL query.
## azdata sql shell
The SQL Database CLI allows the user to interact with SQL Server via T-SQL.
```bash
azdata sql shell 
```
### Examples
Example command line to start the interactive experience.
```bash
azdata sql shell
```
### Global Arguments
#### `--debug`
Increase logging verbosity to show all debug logs.
#### `--help -h`
Show this help message and exit.
#### `--output -o`
Output format.  Allowed values: json, jsonc, table, tsv.  Default: json.
#### `--query -q`
JMESPath query string. See [http://jmespath.org/](http://jmespath.org) for more information and examples.
#### `--verbose`
Increase logging verbosity. Use --debug for full debug logs.
## azdata sql query
The query command allows execution of a T-SQL query.
```bash
azdata sql query --database -d 
                 -q
```
### Examples
Select the list of tables names.  Database defaults to master.
```bash
azdata sql query "SELECT name FROM SYS.TABLES"
```
### Required Parameters
#### `--database -d`
Database to run query in.  Default is master.
#### `-q`
T-SQL query to execute.
### Global Arguments
#### `--debug`
Increase logging verbosity to show all debug logs.
#### `--help -h`
Show this help message and exit.
#### `--output -o`
Output format.  Allowed values: json, jsonc, table, tsv.  Default: json.
#### `--query -q`
JMESPath query string. See [http://jmespath.org/](http://jmespath.org) for more information and examples.
#### `--verbose`
Increase logging verbosity. Use --debug for full debug logs.

## Next steps

For more information about other `azdata` commands, see [azdata reference](reference-azdata.md). For more information about how to install the `azdata` tool, see [Install azdata to manage SQL Server 2019 big data clusters](../install/deploy-install-azdata.md).